Notre Dame vs. NC State Prediction: AI Powered College Football Picks Week 2

Team Overview

Notre Dame Fighting Irish:

• Overall Performance: Notre Dame registers a total SRS of 9.14, driven predominantly by a strong defensive score (DSRS) of 13.4, even though they have a negative offensive score (OSRS) of -4.26.
• Scoring: Averaging 31.8 points per game, they’ve managed to limit their opponents to 23 points against them.
• Passing and Rushing: Offensively, they have an average of 11.3 yards per passing attempt and a solid 6.71 yards on each rushing attempt. Their defense is particularly stout, giving up just 1.44 yards per pass and 2.49 yards per rush.
• Efficiency: Notre Dame’s Football Power Index (FPI) stands impressively at 20.5, and they hold a strong overall efficiency score of 95.2. They rank 2nd in offensive efficiency, showcasing their offensive prowess. Their defense, however, is middle-of-the-pack with a rank of 73.4.

North Carolina State Wolfpack:

• Overall Performance: NC State’s total SRS is neutral at 0, with both their offense (OSRS) and defense (DSRS) also standing at 0.
• Scoring: They’ve been decent offensively, averaging 24.3 points per game, while their defense allows a lower 19.2 points.
• Passing and Rushing: Their offensive numbers are moderate, with 7.63 yards per passing attempt and 4.52 yards per rush. On the defensive side, they allow 6.68 yards per pass and 3.78 yards per rush.
• Efficiency: NC State has a positive FPI of 6.7, showcasing a decent performance overall. Their overall efficiency score is at 69.9. Offensively, they are ranked at 49, while their defense is slightly better at 68.9.

Head-to-Head Projection:

1. Notre Dame’s Offense vs. NC State’s Defense: Notre Dame’s dominant offensive performance, especially in the air, should cause problems for the Wolfpack. The efficiency of Notre Dame’s passing game against NC State’s pass defense gives Notre Dame the edge here.
2. NC State’s Offense vs. Notre Dame’s Defense: NC State’s moderate offensive stats will be challenged significantly by Notre Dame’s robust defense. The Wolfpack might find it hard to gain significant yards through the air against Notre Dame’s stringent pass defense.

Projected Points:

• Notre Dame: Given their offensive stats and NC State’s defensive numbers, Notre Dame could be expected to score in the range of 33-35 points.
• North Carolina State: Facing a strong Notre Dame defense, NC State might be restricted to around 20-22 points.

Conclusion:

When analyzing the stats, Notre Dame clearly has the upper hand, particularly due to their superior offensive efficiency and strong defense. For those on the lookout for college football picks for this matchup, Notre Dame appears to be the favored team.